trout, and eels, for a thousand winters. It was not long
after this that the lake began to speak, in a voice loud as
the thunder from the clouds. The Seneca traditions say this
is the Manitou calling to See-wise, when he goes down
after the fish, out of season."

"And do you, an educated man, believe in this tale?" asked
Fuller.

"I can not say. The things learned in childhood remain the
longest on the memory. They make the deepest marks. I
have seen the evil that a demagogue can do among the
pale-faces; why should I not believe the same among my
own people?"

"This is well enough, as respects the curse on the
demagogue; but lakes do not usually--"

Fuller had got thus far, when the Seneca, as if in mockery,
emitted the sound that has obtained the name of the "Lake
Gun" among those who have lived on its banks in these
later times. Perhaps it was, in part, the influence of the
Seneca's legend, united to the opinions and statements of
the inhabitants of that region, which conspired to make our
traveler start, in awe and surprise; for, certainly, the deep-
mouthed cannon never gave forth a more impressive and
sudden concussion on the ear.

"It does, indeed, sound very like a gun!" said Fuller, after a
long pause had enabled him to speak.